Low-Profile Vascular Closure Systems and Methods of Using Same

ABSTRACT

A method for closing an arteriotomy includes providing a guiding system and a closure system. The guiding system is mounted over a dilator, and advanced along a guidewire through the arteriotomy and into the blood vessel lumen. The guiding system includes two stabilization wire guides. A retention foot is disposed at a distal portion of each stabilization wire guide, the foot being deployable into contact against an inner surface of the vessel wall. The guidewire and dilator are withdrawn from the patient, leaving the stabilization wire guides in place. The closure system carries a stapler and is advanced along the stabilization wire guides to an extraluminal position. The stapler is then activated to close the arteriotomy. The retention feet are undeployed and the guiding and closure systems are withdrawn from the body, leaving a staple to hold the arteriotomy closed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to system and method for closing an opening in a vessel wall after a medical procedure, and in particular, to a system and method for closing a puncture arteriotomy after an intracranial procedure such as catheterization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Catheters/catheterization procedures for diagnosis or treatment of cardiovascular and/or peripheral vascular diseases are well known, and typically involve the Seidinger technique to make insertions through layers of tissue and through a wall of the femoral artery. After a diagnostic or interventional catheterization, the arteriotomy puncture formed by the catheter or introducer sheath must be closed. The puncture opening in the artery typically ranges from 5 French (0.0655 inch, 1.67 mm) such as for a diagnostic angiography procedure to as large as 30 French (0.393 inch, 10.00 mm) for an interventional procedure such as implanting an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. Traditionally, intense pressure has been applied to the puncture site for at least 30-45 minutes after removal of the catheter. Patients who have had a femoral artery puncture are then required to remain at bed rest, essentially motionless and often with a heavy sandbag placed on their upper legs, for several hours to ensure that the bleeding has stopped. Other approaches include the use of a thrombotic or collagen plug or slurry, and/or other suturing methodologies for sealing the puncture. Also known are systems and methods for blind delivery, viz., without direct visualization, of a staple or clip to gather and hold together sides of the arteriotomy. However, these closure systems typically deliver, or perform the closure modality via a sheath, which holds the tissue track open. Therefore, there is a need for a low-profile closure system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for closing an arteriotomy in a wall of a vessel of a body after an intra-luminal procedure is disclosed. The terms “distal” and “proximal ” are used in the specification with respect to a position or direction relative to the treating clinician. “Distal” or “distally” are a position distant from or in a direction away from the clinician. “Proximal” and “proximally” are a position near or in a direction toward the clinician. The method may be practiced without a sheath in place in the tissue track. A guidewire from the intra-luminal procedure remains in the vessel, or is replaced with another guidewire. A procedural sheath, if used, is removed from the patient. A dilator and a guiding system are advanced together along the guidewire into the body tissue, through the arteriotomy and are into the vessel lumen. The guiding system includes at least two stabilization wire guides, each stabilization wire guide having a deployable retention foot, disposed at a distal, portion thereof. The guiding system is deployed within the vessel lumen such that the retention feet can be pulled back against an inner surface of the vessel wall. The guidewire and dilator are withdrawn from the lumen and the body tissue, leaving only the guiding system in place. A closure system is advanced along the guiding system to a position proximal to the arteriotomy. The closure system includes a center tube housing a stapler, the center tube having at least two side tubes for riding along the stabilization wire guides. The stapler is then activated to close the arteriotomy and the guiding system and closure system are withdrawn from the lumen and the body.

An embodiment of the stapler includes an elongate hollow shaft having at its distal end a pair of opposing actuation tips that define a staple chamber there between. An anvil extends into the staple chamber from one of the actuation tips to retain and deform a staple. An elongate driver is slidably disposed in the hollow shaft. A staple Includes a pair of opposing legs proximally coupled by a bend and having an expansion ramp extending from each leg toward the other leg. The staple may be opened and/or closed by plastic or elastic deformation. When the closure system, is disposed adjacent to the arteriotomy, an operator mechanism moves the driver longitudinally relative to stapler shaft such that the driver advances the staple between the actuation tips. The staple expansion ramps ride and spread apart along the anvil, thereby opening the staple. As the operator continues to push the driver longitudinally, the staple expansion ramps clear the anvil, permitting the staple to close. In an embodiment of the stapler, the driver closes the staple by deforming the staple bend against the anvil. In another embodiment of the stapler, the staple is elastic-ally self-closing. A staple release mechanism is actuated to spread the actuation tips apart, creating a gap through which the staple is released from the anvil.

In an embodiment of the closure system, a distal portion of the center tube is pinched such that it separates the staple tips from the tissue track during delivery to the arteriotomy site. When the staple is deployed, the staple spreads the pinched portion apart.

In another embodiment of the closure system, a frangible cap is disposed over the distal opening of the center lube. The frangible cap separates the staple tips from the tissue track during delivery to the arteriotomy site. When the staple Is deployed, the staple perforates or fractures the frangible cap. Optionally, a portion of the frangible cap tears away from the center tube to form a pledget that is retained against the arteriotomy by the staple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description of the disclosure as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and to enable a person, skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the disclosure. The drawings are not to scale.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of body tissue including a vessel with a procedural device inserted in the vessel.

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of body tissue including a vessel with a guidewire inserted in the vessel.

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of body tissue including a vessel with a procedural sheath being removed from the tissue.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a dilator and retention system being inserted into body tissue.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dilator and retention system of FIG. 4 being inserted into a vessel through an arteriotomy.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dilator and retention system of FIG. 4 with stabilization wire guides released from the dilator.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of retention feet of the stabilization wire guides of FIG. 6 deployed within a vessel and the guidewire being removed from the vessel and body tissue.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional, view of the retention feet of FIG. 7 deployed and the dilator being removed from the vessel and body tissue.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a closure system as it enters the body tissue.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the closure system of FIG. 9 as it reaches a location just outside of the vessel, adjacent the arteriotomy.

FIG. 11 Is a perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 9 with expansion tips extended beyond a distal opening of a center tube.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 9 as a staple is being deployed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 9 with the staple deployed to close the arteriotomy.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 9 with the staple deployed and the center tube and stabilization wire guides being removed from the body tissue.

FIG. 15 is a perspective cut-away view of an embodiment of a stapler of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a perspective cut-away view of the stapler of FIG. 15 with the staple being deployed.

FIG. 17 is a perspective cut-away view of the stapler of FIG. 15 with the staple closed after deployment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of an embodiment of a staple of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the staple of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of a stapler of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a cut-away side view of the stapler of FIG. 20 with the staple being deployed.

FIG. 22 is a cut-away side view of the stapler of FIG. 20 with the staple closed, but not released.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an expansion tip of the stapler of FIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is an end view of an embodiment of a pair of expansion tips of the stapler of FIG. 20.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a center tube with a pinched distal portion of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the center tube of FIG, 25 during deployment of a stapler.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a center tube with a frangible cap of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the center tube of FIG. 27 during deployment of a stapler.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the center tube of FIG. 27 with a pledget formed from a frangible cap during deployment of a staple.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 44 with the staple and pledget deployed and the center tube and stabilization wire guides being removed from the body tissue.

FIG. 31 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a top view of an embodiment of a release mechanism for releasing a staple from a stapler of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 31, with the actuation tips spread apart.

FIG. 33 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a top view of another embodiment of a release mechanism for releasing a staple from a stapler of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 29 with the actuation tips spread apart.

FIG. 35 is a cut-away side view of a stapler with another embodiment of a release mechanism for releasing a staple from a stapler of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 is a cut-away side view of the embodiment of FIG. 35 with the staple deployed, but not released from the stapler.

FIG. 37 is a cut-away perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is longitudinal cross-sectional view of a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 33 with the actuation tips spread apart.

FIG. 39 is a perspective, view of an actuation tip of another stapler In accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 40 is a top view of a stapler incorporating the actuation tip of FIG. 39 with the staple deployed, but not released from the staple chamber.

FIG. 41 is a top view of the stapler of FIG. 40, after the staple has been pushed forward to spread apart the actuation tips.

FIG. 42 is a cut-away side view of a stapler with another embodiment of a release mechanism for releasing a staple from a stapler of the present disclosure.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an expansion tip of the stapler of FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is a cut-away side view of the stapler of FIG. 42 with the staple closed, but not released from the stapler.

FIG. 45 is a transverse cross-section view along line 45-45 of FIG. 44 with the actuation tip that, was cut away from FIGS. 42 and 44.

FIG. 46 is an alternative embodiment of the stapler of FIGS. 42-44, shown in a transverse cross-section view along line 46-46 of FIG. 44 with the actuation tip that was cut away from FIGS. 42 and 44.

FIG. 47 is an outline of a method of using a vascular closure system in accordance with the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Low Profile Guiding System

Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are now described with reference to the FIGS., where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The present disclosure is directed to a device and method for closing an arteriotomy after a procedure in which a vessel was punctured to gain access to the vessel lumen. FIGS. 1-10 show cross-sectional views of body tissue 100 with a vessel 102 disposed therein. FIG. 1 shows a procedural device 108, such as a balloon catheter, disposed partially within a lumen 104 of vessel 102. The distal end of procedural device 108 is shown riding along a guidewire 110. Procedural device 108 passes through a procedural sheath 106, which maintains access to lumen 104 through a tissue track 101 in tissue 100 and arteriotomy 132 in the wall of vessel 102.

As the intra-luminal procedure, such as balloon angioplasty, is completed, procedural device IDS is removed from vessel 102 and tissue track 101 via procedural sheath 106, as shown in FIG. 2. Guidewire 110 remains in place partially disposed within lumen 104 of vessel 102. As shown in FIG. 3, procedural sheath 106 is removed from lumen 104, arteriotomy 132, and tissue track 101, leaving guidewire 110 in place. Although tissue track 101 and arteriotomy 132 are shown in FIG. 3 as being maintained in an open state, in practice, tissue track 101 and arteriotomy 132 will tend to at least partially close around guidewire 110 when procedural sheath 106 is removed.

A vascular closure system, of the disclosure is used to close arteriotomy 132, as follows. As shown in FIG. 4, a dilator 112 is guided along guidewire 110 into tissue track 101. Provided with dilator 112 is a pair of stabilization wire guides 114. Stabilization wire guides 114 ride along an outside surface of dilator 112. Distal portions of stabilization wire guides 114 are inserted into respective openings 116 in dilator 112 so that stabilization wire guides 114 advance with dilator 112 into tissue track 101. As shown in FIG. 5, dilator 112 and stabilization wire guides 114 are advanced farther along guidewire 110 into lumen 104. As dilator 112 is advanced into tissue track 101 and arteriotomy 132, dilator 112 opens tissue track 101 and arteriotomy 132.

As shown in FIG. 6, dilator 112 and stabilization wire guides 114 are advanced far enough into lumen 104 of vessel 102 to ensure that retention feet 118 are intraluminal prior to their deployment. Numerous methods are known to those of skill in the art to measure of accurately indicate the intraluminal position of portions of a vascular closure device. In one known device, intraluminal position of the device may be indicated by blood entering the device through an inlet port positioned within the vessel lumen, the blood flowing through a passageway in the device, and the blood finally emitting from the device as a visible “flashback” out of an exit port external to the patient. In an alternative known type of position indicator, the device may have an enlarged physical stop for abutting against the external wall of the blood vessel to provide a tactile indication of the position of the device with respect to the vessel wall.

Dilator 112 is advanced farther into lumen 104 of vessel 102 while stabilization wire guides 114 are restricted from movement. This relative movement between dilator 112 and stabilization wire guides 114 causes the distal portions of stabilization wire guides 114 to be exposed or released from openings 116 in dilator 112. Stabilization wire guides 114 are manipulated or deployed to form retention feet 118 in the distal portions thereof. Retention feet 118 may be formed in various ways as would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art for example, the ways described in FIGS. 49-57 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,356 to Kanner et. al., the entire disclosure of which is Incorporated herein by reference. Retention feet 118 are pulled back against an Inner wall 120 of vessel 102, thus providing temporary anchoring for stabilization wire guides 114, and also providing an indication, of the location, or depth of inner wall 120 relative to other components of the vascular closure system. For convenience of illustration, FIGS. 5-10 show a pair of stabilization wire guides 114 aligned along the axis of vessel 102. In actual use however, such a pair of stabilization wire guides 114 will typically be aligned transverse to the axis of vessel 102 and positioned at the ends of the slit that naturally forms generally perpendicular to the length, of the vessel when arteriotomy 132 is formed in the wall of vessel 102, as described in the above-mentioned Kanner '356 patent. Such transverse alignment of stabilization wire guides 114 within arteriotomy 132 is especially typical when stabilization wire guides 114 are spread apart by closure system 122, as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, guidewire 110 and dilator 112 are removed from lumen 104, arteriotomy 132 and tissue track 101, leaving only stabilization wire guides 114 extending through tissue track 101 and arteriotomy 132 into lumen 104. Stabilization wire guides 114 provide guidance for insertion of a closure system. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a closure system 122 is slidably mounted onto stabilization wire guides 114 so that a distal portion of closure system 122 can ride along stabilization wire guides 114 to a location within tissue track 101 spaced proximally from vessel 102. Closure system 122 includes an elongate stapler 128 carried slidably within a center tube 124. Two or more relatively short side tubes 126 are coupled parallel to the distal portion of center tube 124 on opposing sides thereof. In an embodiment, center tube 124 may be 30 cm long and side tubes may be 2 cm long. Center tube 124 and side tubes 126 will separate stabilization wire guides 114 when closure system 122 is advanced there along. Separating stabilization wire guides 114 applies tension along the long axis of slit-shaped arteriotoray 132 such that tissue along both sides of arteriotorriy 132 tends to come together for engagement by a closure system, as described in the above-mentioned Kanner '356 patent.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Vessel 102 is shown in longitudinal cross-section and tissue 100 has been excluded for convenience of illustration. With retention feet 118 deployed within lumen 104 of vessel 102, closure system 122 is advanced toward arteriotomy 132 until the distal end of closure system 122 is stopped extraluminally at a preset distance from retention feet 118. The distance between the distal end of closure system 122 and retention feet 118 may be preset in a mechanism (not shown) coupled to the proximal ends of stabilization wire guides 114 and center tube 124. After confirming the apposition of retention feet 118 against, inner wall 120 of vessel 102, as shown in FIG. 11, stapler 128 may be advanced distally within center tube 124 to expose a pair of actuation tips 129 and a staple 130 held there between.

As shown in FIG. 12, two staple tips 139 of staple 130 are expanded laterally and are extended distally from between actuation tips 129 to pierce vessel tissue on either side of arteriotomy 132. Note that, whereas side tubes 126 and stabilization wire guides 114 are described as being disposed on “sides” of stapler 128, then “lateral” expansion of staple tips 139 means the tips expand toward the top and bottom of stapler 128. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that top, bottom and side are terms used only to assist the reader in understanding the relative positions of the components of the disclosure. Staple tips 139 are then closed to gather or pucker the engaged tissue, thus closing arteriotomy 132. Staple 130 is released from stapler 128 to remain embedded in vessel 102. Described further below are several embodiments of the disclosure that are suitable for releasing a staple from a stapler. Stabilization wire guides 114 and closure system 122, except for staple 130, are then removed from the body, as shown in FIG. 14. Actuation tips 129 and staple 130 may be conventional as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as the actuating tip portion of a stapler and the staple shown in FIGS. 67-71 of the above-mentioned Kanner '356 patent.

First Stapler Embodiment

FIGS. 15-19 show an embodiment of a stapler 228 of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 15 is a cut-away perspective view of stapler 228. FIG. 47 outlines a method 1000 of using staplers in accordance with the disclosure, including stapler 228. Stapler 228 includes an elongate hollow shaft 227. At the distal end of hollow shaft 227 is a pair of flat-sided, opposing actuation tips 229 (only one tip 229 a is shown in FIGS. 15-17), The flat sides of actuation tips 229 face each other and are spaced apart to provide a passageway for slidably receiving a flat distal portion of an elongate driver 240, and to provide an open-sided staple chamber for holding at least a proximal portion of a staple 230. The open sides of the staple chamber are oriented toward the top and bottom of stapler 228. For example, see staple chamber 345 in FIG. 24. The distal end of driver 240 has a pair of tip edges 242 arranged to form an axially symmetrical pointed tip for abutment against a proximal end of staple 230. An anvil 250 for deforming or deflecting staple 230 Is fixed within the staple chamber. Single anvil 250 may be dimensioned to substantially span the staple chamber, as illustrated in FIG. 46, and may be integrally formed with or attached to actuation tip 229 a, without being affixed to opposite actuation tip 229 b. Alternatively, anvil 250 may be formed by two mating anvil halves, each anvil half being integral with or attached to actuation tip 229 a or 229 b, respectively. Driver 240 extends proximally within hollow shaft 227 to a handle (not shown) wherein a mechanism may be manually operated to move driver 240 within hollow shaft 227, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of medical stapling devices. In an embodiment, driver 240 and hollow shaft 227 may each be about 30 cm in length. Staple 230 includes two legs respectively having proximally-located expansion bends 236 a and 236 b connected by a closure bend 237. The two legs of staple 230 respectively have staple expansion ramps 234 a and 234 b, optional staple tissue stops 238 a and 238 b, and staple tips 239 a and 239 b, See step 1010 in FIG. 47.

In practice, the distal portion of stapler 228 is positioned at a preset distance from an arteriotomy, as shown with respect to stapler 128 in FIG. 11. Sec also step 1020 in FIG. 47. Driver tip edges 242 a and 242 b abut expansion bends 236 a and 236 b at the proximal end of staple 230. Staple, tips 239 a and 239 b extend from the distal end of hollow shaft 227, even prior to the initiation of deployment of staple 230 from stapler 228. Driver 240 is advanced distally within hollow shaft 227 such that driver tip edges 242 a and 242 b push staple 230 distally in the staple chamber formed between actuation tips 229 such that staple expansion ramps 234 a and 234 b ride along, and are forced apart, by anvil 250. The separation of expansion ramps 234 a and 234 b causes the legs of staple 230 to separate and extend laterally through the open sides, i.e. top and bottom of the chamber along the distal portion of hollow shaft 227. As the legs of staple 230 are spread apart, expansion bends 236 a and 236 b are forced open, and staple tips 239 a and 239 b separate from each other, as shown in FIG. 16. See also step 1030 in FIG. 47. The deformation of expansion bends 236 a and 236 b as they are opened may exceed the elastic limits of the staple material such that at least some plastic deformation may occur. Simultaneously, or closely coordinated with the spreading of the staple legs, staple 230 is advanced distally such that staple tips 239 a and 239 b pierce vessel 102 to engage vessel tissue on either side of arteriotomy 132. See step 1040 in FIG. 47. Stabilization wire guides 114 aid in centering, or stabilizing closure system 122 over arteriotomy 132, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The expanded distance between tips 239 a and 239 b more than spans arteriotomy 132, as shown with respect to staple 130 in FIG. 12. As described in the above-mentioned Kanner '356 patent, staple tissue stops 238 a and 238 b help prevent tips 239 a and 239 b respectively from fully penetrating the wall of vessel 102 and entering lumen 104.

As driver 240 continues to be moved distally in hollow shaft 227, staple closure bend 237 abuts anvil 250, and staple expansion ramps 234 a and 234 b clear anvil 250, permitting at least some elastic recovery of staple expansion bends 236 a and 236 b. See step 1050 in FIG. 47. Driver tip edges 242 a and 242 b force closure bend 237 against anvil 250, thereby deforming closure bend 237 into a more open angle. The deformation of closure bend 237 may exceed the elastic limits of the staple material such that at least some plastic deformation may occur. Opening closure bend 237 causes the legs of staple 230 to pivot in opposite directions around the apex of closure head 237 such that staple tips 239 a and 239 b move toward each other, as shown in FIG. 17. As staple tips 239 a and 239 b are forced together, the vessel tissue between them is gathered or puckered, thereby closing arteriotomy 132. When staple 230 closes, staple tips 239 a and 239 b may approach, or touch, or even cross over each other as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 17, depending upon the amount of tissue between the tips.

First Staple Release Mechanism

As staple tips 239 a and 239 b close toward each other, the proximal portion of staple 230 must be released from stapler 228. Otherwise, as shown In FIG. 17, the proximal portion of staple 230 would be trapped by anvil 250. There are several ways for staple 230 to be released from stapler 228. FIGS. 31 and 32 are top sectional views of stapler 228, with staple 230 being omitted for clarity. Driver 240 may include a distal wedge 244, or distally-facing wedges 244 a and 244 b disposed proximally from driver distal edge 242. Wedges 244 a and 244 b extend laterally outward from side surfaces 246 a and 246 b of driver 240 in the direction of actuation tips 229 a and 229 b, respectively. Further, actuation tips 229 a and 229 b include proximally-facing ramps 270 a and 270 b, respectively, disposed proximally from anvils 250 a and 250 b. As described above, driver 240 is moved distally within hollow shaft 227 such that closure bend 237 is opened to force staple tips 239 a and 238 b together. In a simultaneous movement, wedges 244 a and 244 b push against and slide along ramps 270 a and 270 b, respectively, thereby causing actuation tips 229 a and 229 b to spread apart from each other, as shown in FIG. 32. With actuation tips 229 a and 229 b spread apart from each other, a gap 272 is formed between anvil 250 a of actuation tip 229 a and anvil 250 b of actuation tip 229 b, thereby releasing staple 230 from the staple chamber of stapler 228. See step 1060 in FIG. 47. Staple 230 is thus permitted to remain in place, closing the arteriotomy as stapler 228, including hollow shaft 227, actuation tips 229 a and 229 b and driver 240, is removed from the body. With this embodiment, it is important to have close dimensional tolerances between anvil 250 and ramps 270 a and 270 b, and between driver distal edge 242 and wedges 244 a and 244 b to ensure coordination between staple deployment and release.

Second Staple Release Mechanism

FIGS. 33 and 34 are top sectional views of another stapler 228′, with staple 230 being omitted for clarity. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, driver 240′ includes proximally-facing wedges 244 a′ and 244 b′ disposed proximally from driver distal edge 242′, and actuation tips 229 a′ and 229 b′ include distally-facing ramps 270 a′ and 270 b′, respectively, disposed proximally from anvils 250 a and 250 b. FIG. 33 shows stapler 228′ after staple 230 has been deployed, but not released. In order to release the staple from anvils 250 a′, 250 b′, driver 240′ is moved proximally such that wedges 244 a′ and 244 b′ engage ramps 270 a′ and 270 b′, respectively. Ramps 270 a′ and 270 b′ ride up wedges 244 a′ and 244 b′, thereby forcing actuation tips 229 a′ and 229 b′ apart from each other and releasing the staple, as shown in FIG. 34. This embodiment is less sensitive to dimensional tolerances than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 because staple 230 is fully deployed before driver 240′ is moved proximally to release staple 230.

Third Staple Release Mechanism

In another embodiment of a stapler 228″ shown in FIGS, 35-38, release mechanisms 280 a and 280 b are provided coupled to each side of driver 240″. FIGS. 35 and 36 are side sectional views of stapler 228″. Release mechanisms 280 a and 280 b each includes a base 282 a and 282 b, a pair of arms 284 a/b and 285 a/b, and hooks 286 a/b and 287 a/b extending laterally outward from arms 284 a/b, 285 a/b, respectively. Actuation tips 229 a″ and 229 b″ (only actuation tip 229 a″ is shown in FIGS. 35-37) include notches 288 a/b and 289 a/b having ramps 290 a/b and 291 a/b. FIG. 35 shows stapler 228″ with staple 230 in the pre-deployment configuration as stapler 228″ is being delivered to the arteriotomy site. Arms 284 a/b and 285 a/b of release mechanisms 280 a/b are resiliently compressed toward each other by sidewalls 292 a/b and 293 a/b of actuation tips 229 a″ and 229 b″. As driver 240″ is moved distally within hollow shaft 227″ to push staple 230 against anvil 250 a/b hooks 286 a/b and 287 a/b arrive at notches 288 a/b and 289 a/b. Sidewalls 292 a/b and 293 a/b no longer compress arms 284 a/b and 285 a/b as hooks 286 a/b and 287 a/b resiliently extend into notches 288 a/b and 289 a/b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 36. After staple 230 has been deployed to close the arteriotomy, driver 240″ is moved proximally, thereby also moving release mechanisms 280 a and 280 b proximally, as shown in FIG. 37. As release mechanisms 280 a and 280 b are moved proximally, hooks 286 a/b and 287 a/b ride up ramps 290 a/b and 291 a/b. This motion causes actuation tips 229 a″ and 229 b″ to spread apart, thereby providing a gap 272 between anvils 250 a and 250 b through which staple 230 may pass, as shown in the top sectional view of stapler 228″ shown in FIG. 38. Note that, as described above, staplers 228, 228′ and 228″ may include a single anvil 250 extending from one actuation tip toward the other actuation tip instead of a pair of anvils 250 a and 250 b. Similar to stapler 228′ above, stapler 228″ is less sensitive to dimensional tolerances because staple 230 is fully deployed before driver 240″ is moved proximally to release staple 230.

Staple Materials

Staple 230 may comprise a biocompatible metal such as nitinol (TiNi), stainless steel, tantalum, or titanium. Magnesium or an alloy thereof may also be used to make staple 230, and such materials also have the potential advantage of being bioabsorbable. Staple 230 may also be formed from various filled or unfilled rigid or semi-rigid polymers such as liquid crystal polymer (LCF), polyamide, polycarbonate, poly-etheretherketone (PEEK), polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDP), and may include bioabsorbable or biodegradable polymeric materials such as polycaprolactone, poly(glycolide) (PGA), poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA). In an example of a method of making a staple embodiment of the disclosure, staple 230 may formed of a rigid thermoplastic in an injection mold. Staple 230 may be opened by elastic and/or plastic deformation of expansion bends 236 a and 236 b and may be closed by elastic and/or plastic deformation of closure bend 237. Combined elastic and plastic deformation refers to a staple that has had its shape changed to exceed the elastic region of its material properties, so the staple will only tend to return part way to its previous shape.

Second Stapler Embodiment

In another embodiment, FIGS. 20-24 show an embodiment of a stapler 328 of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 20 is a cut-away perspective view of stapler 328. Stapler 328 Includes an elongate hollow shaft 327 having, at its distal end, a pair of flat opposing actuation tips 329 (only one tip 329 a is shown In FIGS. 20-23) spaced apart to provide an open-sided chamber for holding a staple 330. An elongate driver 340 is slidably disposed within hollow shaft 327 and has a flat distal portion slidingly disposed within the chamber. The distal end of driver 340 may be shaped, e.g. concave, for abutment against a proximal bend of staple 330. Anvil 350 for retaining and deflecting staple 330 may extend substantially across the staple chamber and may be integral with or attached to actuation tip 329 a, without being affixed to opposite actuation tip 329 b. Alternatively, anvil 350 may be formed by two mating anvil halves 350 a and 350 b, each anvil half being integral with or attached to actuation tip 329 a or 329 b, respectively. Only one anvil 350 a is shown in FIGS. 20-23. Driver 340 extends proximally within the hollow shaft to a handle (not shown) wherein a mechanism may move the driver 340 relative to the hollow shaft and actuation tips 329, as described above with respect to stapler 228.

Stapler 328 includes a staple 330 made according to a material and a process such that it tends to elastically return to a closed shape, as will be described with respect to FIGS. 20-22. Staple 330 may be made of nitinol or other suitable elastic or pseudoelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) that may be heat set in a relaxed or neutral configuration such as the closed configuration shown in FIGS. 20 and 22. Staple 330 is carried within stapler 328 and staple 330 may be heat set in a pre-formed or relaxed configuration with staple tips 339 a and 339 b crossed over each other, or barely touching each other, or spread slightly apart as shown in FIG. 20. Staple tips 339 a and 339 b extend from the distal end of hollow shaft 327, even prior to the initiation of deployment of staple 330 from stapler 328. Staple 330 includes two legs connected by a proximal bend. The legs respectively have staple expansion ramps 334 a and 334 b, optional staple tissue stops 338 a and 338 b, and staple tips 339 a and 339 b.

When stapler 328 is in the proper position with respect to vessel 102, driver 340 is advanced distally within hollow shaft 327 such that the driver distal end pushes staple 330 distally in the staple chamber between expansion tips 329, and staple expansion ramps 334 a/334 b ride along, and are forced apart by anvil 350, as shown in FIG. 21. The separation of expansion ramps 334 a and 334 b causes the legs of staple 330 to separate and extend laterally from the open sides of the staple chamber in the distal end of hollow shaft 327. In a simultaneous action, staple tips 339 a and 339 b are spread apart, the proximal staple bend is opened up, and staple 330 is advanced distally such that staple tips 339 a and 339 b pierce the vessel wall (not shown) to engage vessel tissue on either side of arteriotomy 132 (not shown). Referring to FIG. 22, as driver 340 continues to push staple 330 distally, expansion ramps 334 a and 334 b clear anvil 350, and the elastic or shape memory property of the proximal bend of staple 330 causes staple tips 339 a and 339 b to close toward each other. As staple tips 339 a and 339 b draw together, the vessel tissue between them is gathered or puckered, thereby closing the arteriotomy. When staple 330 closes, staple tips 339 a and 339 b may again approach, or touch, or even cross over each other, depending upon the pre-formed staple configuration and the amount of tissue gathered between the tips.

The hollow shaft of stapler 328 and expansion tips 329 a and 329 b may be made of metal or stiff plastic suitable for insertion into the human body, such as stainless steel, nitinol, high density polyethylene, polyamide, or polyethylene block amide copolymer. FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of actuation tip 329 a, including anvil 350 and side rails 360 a and 361 a, which terminate proximally of the distal ends of expansion tips 329 a and 329 b. Side rails 360 a and 361 a abut side rails 360 b and 361 b of expansion tip 329 b, as shown in FIG. 24, thus forming passageway 362 there between for slidably receiving the flat distal portion of driver 340. Distally of passageway 362, the flat surfaces of actuation tips 229 form open-sided staple chamber 345, which contains anvil 350. In an alternative embodiment, only one of the expansion tips includes the side rails and the side rails abut against the flat surface of the other expansion tip. In such an embodiment, the side rails may be thicker than in an embodiment with side rails on each expansion tip in order to create the appropriately-sized passageway 362 and staple chamber 345. Although this description of the expansion tips has referred to expansion tips 329 a and 329 b, it would be understood that it applies equally to expansion tips 229.

Fourth Staple Release Mechanism

Similar to the description above with respect to staple 230 and FIGS. 15-19, staple 330 must clear anvils 350 a/b in order to be released from stapler 328. Such release can be accomplished by the mechanisms and methods described above with respect to FIGS, 31-45. In particular, anvils 350 a and 350 b may include proximally-facing ramps 352 a and 352 b, as shown in FIGS. 20-22 and 39-44. After expansion ramps 334 a and 334 b clear anvils 350 a/b, and the elastic or shape memory property of staple 330 causes staple tips 339 a and 339 b to close toward each other, as shown in FIG. 22. To release staple 330 from stapler 328, driver 340 may be held in place longitudinally as proximally-directed force is applied to hollow shaft 327. Thus, driver 340 holds staple 330 against the proximally-facing surfaces of anvils 350 a and 350 b, and holds staple tips 339 a and 339 b in the vessel wall about the arteriotomy. In this way, actions taken to release staple 330 from stapler 328 do not pull proximally on staple 330 once it is engaged with, the tissue of the vessel wall. However, because the proximally-facing surfaces of anvils 350 a and 350 b are ramps 352 a and 352 b, respectively, proximal movement, of hollow shaft 327 forces ramps 352 a and 352 b to separate around the proximal bend of staple 330, thereby causing actuation tips 329 a and 329 b to spread apart, creating a gap 372 between anvils 350 a and 350 b, as shown in FIG. 41. As hollow shaft 327 continues to be moved proximally, anvils 350 a/b clear staple 330, which is thereby released from stapler 328. Thus, stapler 328 releases deployed staple 330 by forcing actuation, tips 329 a and 329 b to spread apart by engaging ramps 352 a and 352 b with staple 330 itself. Hollow shaft 327 and driver 340 can then be removed from the body.

Third Stapler Embodiment

Another embodiment of a stapler 428 is shown in FIGS. 42-45. As shown, stapler 428 includes a staple 430 that is similar or identical to staple 330 described above and is made of nitinol or other suitable elastic or pseudoelastic shape memory alloy (SMA). However, staple 430 of the present embodiment can also be similar in shape and material properties to staple 230 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 15-19.

Stapler 428 further includes actuation tips 429 a/b. Only actuation tip 429 a is shown in FIGS. 42-44 for ease of viewing, however, it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that actuation tip 429 b is a mirror image of actuation tip 429 a, as shown in FIG. 43. Actuation tip 429 a includes anvil 450 a similar to anvil 350 a described with respect to FIGS. 20-24. Actuation tip 429 a further includes first and second laterally opposed side ramps 454 a and 456 a disposed abutting the distal end of anvil 450 a. Side ramps 454 a and 456 a may be formed integrally with anvil 450 a. Stapler 428 further includes an elongate driver 440 and a staple 430, similar or identical to driver 340 and staple 330 described above with respect to FIGS 20-24. Staple 430 includes staple expansion ramps 434 a and 434 b.

In use, when stapler 428 is located in the proper position relative to vessel 102, driver 440 is advanced within hollow shaft 424 such that the driver distal end pushes staple 430 distally in the staple chamber between expansion tips 429 a/b such that staple expansion ramps 434 a and 434 b ride along, and are forced apart by anvil 450 a/b, as shown In FIG. 42. The separation of expansion ramps 434 a and 434 b causes the legs of staple 430 to separate and extend laterally from the open sides of the staple chamber in the distal, end of hollow shaft 424. In a simultaneous action, staple tips 439 a and 439 b are spread apart and staple 430 is advanced distally such that staple tips 439 a and 439 b pierce the vessel wall to engage vessel tissue on either side of arteriotomy 132. Note that the forces that act to spread apart staple tips 439 a and 439 b do not act orthogonally to simultaneously spread apart actuation tips 429 a and 429 b. As driver 440 continues to push staple 430 distally, expansion ramps 434 a and 434 b clear anvil 450 a/b, and staple tips 439 a and 439 b close toward each other to gather or pucker the engaged tissue, thus closing arteriotomy 132.

Staple 430 may be released from stapler 428 simultaneously with or subsequently to deployment of staple 430 to close arteriotomy 132. Driver 440 may be held in place longitudinally as proximally-directed force is applied to hollow shaft 424 to release staple 430. Thus, driver 440 holds staple 430 in the closed configuration about the arteriotomy. That is, actions taken to release staple 430 from stapler 428 do not pull proximally on staple 430 once it is engaged with the tissue of the vessel wall. As can be seen in FIGS. 42 and 44, when staple tips 439 a and 439 b close toward each other, the tips of expansion ramps 434 a and 434 b will also close toward each other and engage first side ramp 454 a and second side ramp 456 a, respectively. The closing force of staple 430 will wedge expansion ramp 434 a between first side ramps 454 a/b, and will simultaneously wedge expansion ramp 434 b between second side ramps 456 a/b. Such wedging action will force actuation tips 429 a/b apart.

With actuation tips 429 a and 429 b spread apart from each other, a gap is formed between anvil 450 a of actuation tip 429 a and anvil 450 b of actuation tip 429 b. Hollow shaft 424 may then continue to be moved proximally over driver 440, such that the gap formed between anvils 450 a/b clears staple 430, which is thereby released from stapler 428. Thus, stapler 428 releases deployed staple 430 by forcing actuation tips 429 a and 429 b to spread apart by the closing force of staple 430 acting against side ramps 454 a/b and 456 a/b. Hollow shaft 424 and driver 440 can then be removed from the body. The closing force of staple 430 may be an inherent elastic, resilient or shape memory property similar to that of staple 330. Alternatively, the closing force of staple 430 may be the result of moving driver 440 within hollow shaft 424 to plastically deform staple 430 into a closed configuration, as described above with respect to staple 230 shown in FIGS. 15-19. Note that, as described above, stapler 428 may include a single anvil extending from one actuation tip toward the other actuation tip instead of a pair of anvils 450 a and 450 b.

Center Tube with Staple Protection

In the embodiments described above, closure system 122 may be advanced along stabilization wire guides 114 through tissue track 101 without a sheath placed in tissue track 101. Further, as described above, any one of staplers 128, 228, 328, or 428 may be slidably disposed within center tube 124 and may be advanced through tissue track 101 together with center tube 124. Tips of staples 130, 230, 330, and 430 extend distally from the respective staplers, even prior to initiating deployment of the staples. Thus, while closure system 122 is being advanced to the arteriotomy site, it may be desirable to protect staple 130, 230, 330, or 430 against possible damage from tissue track 101, or conversely, it may be desirable to protect tissue track 101 against possible injury from staple 130, 230, 330, or 430.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show an embodiment of a center tube 424 having at its distal end at least two opposing longitudinal slots aligned with the side openings in the staple chamber of staplers 128, 228, 328, or 428, as described above. Center tube 424 further includes a pair of opposing corners 427 defined where each slot meets the distal opening of center tube 424. During staple deployment wherein center tube 424 is advanced close to vessel 102, the legs of staples 130, 230, 330, or 430 can expand laterally from staplers 128, 228, 328, or 428 into the distal slots In center tube 424. In an alternative embodiment shown In FIGS. 11 and 12, the center tube lacks distal slots such that staplers 128, 228, 328, or 428 must be advanced until staples 130, 230, 330, or 430 held in the staple chamber are outside of the center tube before staple deployment is initiated. In this embodiment, the center tube must be spaced away from vessel 102 a sufficient distance such that, during deployment, the stapler can be advanced to the point where a staple can expand laterally without binding on the center tube.

To prevent contact between staple tips and tissue track 101, as discussed above, center tube 424 is provided with an inwardly tapered or pinched distal portion 425, which at least partially covers or guards the staple tips. In the embodiment shown, pinched distal portion 425 brings together corners 427 in center tube 424. As in embodiments described above, center tube 424 is advanced along stabilization wire guides 414 via side tubes 426. Pinched distal portion 425 protects staple 430 from damage while being advanced through tissue track 101, or protects tissue track 101 from injury by staple 430 passing there through. When center tube 424 is advanced to a position outside of the vessel, expansion tips 429 a and 429 b are advanced distally, opening pinched distal portion 425 and spreading the distal ends of the distal slots in center tube 424, as shown in FIG. 26. Staple 430 is then opened and closed around the arteriotomy as described in the embodiments above.

Alternatively, staple 430 may be deployed without advancing the distal end of the stapler beyond the distal end of center tube 424. In this case, the opposing legs of staple 430 are permitted to expand transversely from the open sides of the staple chamber and to spread through the center tube slots, which are aligned with the open sides of the staple chamber.

In another embodiment, the staple may be protected using a frangible cap 574, as shown in FIGS, 27 and 28. Frangible cap 574 is fixed to and covers a distal portion of a center tube 524, and includes a planar portion 576 extending across a distal opening of center tube 524. Frangible cap 574 may be a biocompatible polymeric membrane or a biocompatible metallic foil, and may include perforations, grooves or other disruptions that define tear lines within the cap. Frangible cap 574 may comprise one or more polymers such as polyurethane, polyester or polystyrene. More resilient polymers for making frangible cap 574 may comprise natural or synthetic rubber such as butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymers, copolyesters, ethylene vinylacetate (EVA) polymers, ethylene/acrylic copolymers, ethylene/propylene copolymers, fluorosilicone, latex, polyalkylacrylate polymers, polybutadiene, polybutylene, polyethylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, polyurethane, silicone, styrenebutadiene copolymers, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, thermoset elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer and combinations of the above. Polymeric frangible cap 574 may be formed by various methods including casting, compression molding, liquid injection molding, reaction injection molding (RIM), resin transfer molding (RTM), and thermoplastic injection molding. Polymeric frangible cap 574 may be molded of soft foam, solid elastic material, or a combination thereof.

Frangible cap 574 separates staple 530 from tissue track while center tube 524 is advanced through a tissue track along stabilization wire guides 514 via side tubes 526. Once center tube 524 has been advanced to a position outside of the vessel 102, a stapler 528 carrying staple 530 is advanced distally through center tube 524 such that the staple tips and/or the distal end of stapler 528 penetrate or fracture frangible cap 574, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 44. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 28, as stapler 528 exits the distal end of center tube 524, at least planar portion 576 of frangible cap 574 tears into a configuration having one or more deflectable sections 577 such as flaps that swing, stretch, or otherwise move aside, while frangible cap 574 remains integral and fixed to center tube 524. Staple 530 is then opened, engaged and closed around the arteriotomy as described In the embodiments above.

In an alternative embodiment of the disclosure shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, as stapler 528 exits the distal end of center tube 524, frangible cap 574′ tears into a configuration wherein a generally planar pledget 578 separates from the remainder of frangible cap 574′, which stays fixed to center tube 524. Pledget 578 is carried on the distal end of stapler 528 and is implanted with staple 530 to aid in closing arteriotomy 132, as described in U. S. Published Patent Application Number 2004/0093024 A1 to Lousararian et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Pledget 578 may comprise a part of, or substantially all of planar portion 576 of frangible cap 574′. Pledget 578 may have circumferentially spaced notches for fractional engagement with, and centering between the legs of staple 530, as described in the above-referenced Lousararian publication,

As shown in FIG. 30, pledget 578 may promote hemostasia by stemming the flow of blood from arteriotomy 132 that is being closed by staple 530. Additionally, pledget 578 may be either bio-resorbable or non-resorbable, and may Include physiologically active agents such as Cefazolin, chlorhexidine, fusidic acid, Novobiocin, polymyxin B, rifampicin, silver or a silver compound, or tetracycline for inhibition of infection. Alternative physiologically active agents may include collagen or derivatives thereof, heparin, or phosphorylcholine for promotion of extraluminal dotting. Such physiologically active agents may be coated onto, absorbed within, or otherwise incorporated into the material of pledget 578.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

1. A method for closing a wall opening of a vessel of a body, the method comprising the steps of: providing a guiding system comprising at least two elongate stabilization wire guides and a retention foot disposed at a distal portion of each stabilization wire guide, each retention foot being selectively expandable laterally from the respective stabilization wire guide in at least one direction, the guiding system including a deployed configuration wherein the retention feet are expanded, and an undeployed configuration wherein the retention feet are unexpanded; providing a closure system including an elongate center tube having an elongate stapler slidably disposed there within, the center tube being coupled to at least two opposing side tubes for riding along the stabilization wire guides, respectively; delivering the guiding system through the wall opening into the vessel in the undeployed configuration; transforming the guiding system into the deployed configuration such that the retention feet are expanded within the vessel; advancing the closure system along the guiding system to a position proximal to the wall opening; and activating the stapler to close the opening.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after transforming the guiding system into the deployed configuration, positioning the guiding system such that the expanded retention feet contact an Inner surface of the vessel wall.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein activating the stapler comprises; implanting a staple across the opening in the wall of the vessel; and releasing the staple from the stapler.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after activating the stapler to close the opening, transforming the guiding system into the undeployed configuration and withdrawing the guiding system and elongate center tube from the body.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting a guidewire through the wall opening and into a lumen of the vessel before delivering the guiding system through the wall opening, and wherein delivering the guiding system through the wall opening further comprises advancing a dilator with the guiding system mounted thereon along the guidewire, through the opening and into the lumen.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising withdrawing the guidewire and the dilator from the body before advancing the closure system along the guiding system.
 7. The method of claim 5 further comprising removing a procedural sheath from the body before advancing the dilator and the guiding system along the guidewire.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the side tubes are coupled adjacent a distal portion of the center tube and wherein a length of each side tube is substantially shorter than a length of the center tube.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the stapler comprises; an elongate hollow shaft and an elongate driver slidably disposed therein; a pair of opposing actuation tips disposed at a distal end of the shaft and defining a staple chamber there between; an anvil disposed within the staple chamber and affixed to one of the actuation tips; and a staple at least partially disposed within the staple chamber.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the staple comprises: a pair of opposing staple legs, each leg including a tip, an expansion ramp extending toward the opposite staple leg, and an expansion bend disposed at a proximal end of the leg; and a closure bend coupling the expansion bends.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein each staple leg further comprises a staple tissue stop.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the stapler comprises: advancing the driver between the actuation tips such that the driver moves the staple, wherein the staple expansion ramps ride along the anvil, thereby causing the expansion bends to open and the staple tips to spread apart from each other; further advancing the driver such that staple the expansion ramps clear the anvil and the closure bend abuts the anvil; and further advancing the driver such that the driver opens the closure bend, thereby causing the staple tips to move toward each other to close the staple.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the staple comprises: a pair of opposing staple legs, each leg including a tip and an expansion ramp; and a bend coupling the legs; wherein the staple is made from an elastic material and is pre-formed in a closed configuration wherein the staple tips are touching or adjacent or crossing each other.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein each staple leg further comprises a staple tissue stop.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein activating the stapler comprises; advancing the driver between the actuation tips, thereby pushing the staple distally such that the staple expansion ramps slide along the anvil, thereby causing the staple tips to spread apart relative to each other; and further advancing the driver to push the staple further distally such that the staple expansion ramps clear the anvil and the elastic property of the staple causes the staple tips to close toward each other.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein a frangible cap is disposed over a distal opening of the center tube, and wherein the frangible cap is pierced, fractured or torn open (luring the step of activating the stapler.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the center tube includes a distal portion that is tapered or pinched to cover the stapler until the closure system is advanced to the position proximal to the lumen opening, and wherein the tapered or pinched distal portion is spread apart during the step of activating the stapler. 